Soccer System: All the Skills, One Player!

The conversation with Willian hadn't gone as Lucas had hoped. He imagined that by apologizing, things might improve between them and flow smoothly, but all he got was more indifference. It irritated him deeply.

He finally turned and walked towards the changing room. On the way, he bumped into Arthur and Raphael, who were waiting for him near the entrance. They both noticed his closed expression and exchanged a quick glance before speaking.

"So? How was it?" asked Raphael, crossing his arms.

Lucas sighed, shaking his head. "It was terrible. He doesn't care about anything I said."

Arthur put a hand on his shoulder. "It's no surprise. That's just the way Willian is. He's the selfish type, focused on what's best for him. But maybe with time, things will change."

"I don't know..." Lucas muttered, still frustrated. "If he carries on like this, how are we going to build a united team? We've had enough tension between the two groups."

Raphael agreed with a nod. "Yes, and it's going to get worse now that they've brought these A-Team people here. It's not just Willian. Some of them still think they should be the starters."

Lucas knew Raphael was right. The A-Team, now reduced and mixed with the B-Team, still carried the shadow of the old hierarchy. There was obvious resentment among the players.

Those who used to be in Team-B, led by Felix, were proud of the progress they had made, but they were also suspicious of their new teammates. A feeling of displacement and frustration affected the A-Team players, especially those not picked to boost the B-Team.

-:-

On Monday, the first full training session with the new formation took place. The atmosphere on the pitch was tense.

Felix tried to maintain order as captain, but even he seemed uncertain about how to handle the situation.

During the initial exercises, there were two distinct groups in the team. On one hand, the former B-Team members, like Lucas, Arthur, Raphael, and Felix, worked well together. They had fluid communication and positive energy.

On the other, the players from Team-A, including Kevin, Parker, Javier and Willian, formed their own closed circle.

There was little interaction between the two groups, and when there was, it was brief.

Coach Eddie noticed the division and tried to intervene during tactical training. He organized activities that required cooperation between players from both groups, but the results were mixed.

In an attack versus defense drill, Felix tried to coordinate the offense. But, Willian ignored his instructions and tried a solo move. The defense ended up with the ball.

"Willian, that's not how we're playing!" Felix complained, his voice firm.

Willian just shrugged. "I saw an opportunity. You didn't follow it up."

Daniel, who was in defense, huffed in frustration. He knew it would not end well.

-:-n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

After training, the atmosphere in Brighton's new U20 changing room was strange.

The large, modern space impressed the former B-Team players. Gleaming cabinets, comfortable light wood benches and carefully planned lighting gave the room an air of professionalism. For many there, it was the first time they had had access to such a sophisticated, changing room.

Lucas entered and stopped in the middle of the space, looking at everything with admiration.

"Not bad." he commented wryly, glancing at Raphael, who was putting his backpack in the designated locker. "Much better than the cubicle we used to stay in."

Raphael laughed, but his tone was restrained. "Absolutely. It feels like we're finally being treated like a real team. But look at them..." he said, gesturing discreetly to the group gathered in a corner.

On the other side of the dressing room, the former A-Team players occupied an area near the door. Kevin and Parker chatted quietly. Meanwhile, Javier, the skilled midfielder, read the tactical instructions for today's training.

Willian, as always, had his headphones on, isolated from the rest.

"They act like they're still Team-A and we're Team-B," observed Arthur, who had just arrived. He threw his water bottle on the bench and sat down next to Lucas. "They hardly talk to us. As if we were inferior."

Lucas shook his head in agreement. "But that's going to change. We're one team now, and they're going to have to accept that."

Although coach Eddie had insisted on integration, the former A-Team members seemed reluctant to give up their identity. For them, losing their elite status was a hard blow. They were used to being the first, the most prominent, the ones who played in the main games. Now, sharing space and, worse, accepting the leadership of players demoted to a secondary position was a blow to their self-esteem.

On the other hand, the former B-Team members had come from a background of sweat and hard work, built away from the spotlight. Now that they had the chance to play as equals, they didn't want old prejudices to hinder their progress.

The players, scattered around the benches and lockers, avoided eye contact, immersed in their thoughts. Find your next read at empire

Coach Eddie walked in, clipboard in hand. He had to gain control before things got out of hand. He stopped in the center of the locker room, looked around, and snorted.

"Right, lads. I want you all to drop what you're doing and pay attention. We need to talk. Now."

The players stopped what they were doing. Some crossed their arms, others leaned back in their seats.

Willian took off his headphones with an expression of displeasure.

Eddie let a moment of silence stretch out before continuing. "I know that many of you are dissatisfied. I know that unifying the teams wasn't easy, and I also know that there's a lot of unresolved issues. But if we want to have any chance of success as a team, this has to change. And it needs to change now."

The coach walked slowly through the changing room, looking at each group. "You know what I see? Two different teams. The old Team-B, full of desire and fighting spirit. And the old A-Team, with experience and talent. But neither of these teams is Brighton U20. And as long as you continue to act like enemies, neither of you will be."

Raphael raised his hand, hesitantly. "With all due respect, Eddie, it's difficult to work with people who don't want to cooperate."

"And I understand that, Raphael," Eddie replied, with an understanding tone. "But what you need to understand is that this is the kind of challenge that is part of soccer. You're in a competitive environment, and no one is going to give up their ambitions for free. Find a way of working together, even with your differences."

"And why do we have to change?" Javier's voice cut through the silence like a knife. He stood up and crossed his arms, his posture defiant. "We're the ones who carried Brighton's name last season. New players arrive and we're cast aside? We're the ones who took on the big teams. And now we have to give up our position to players who weren't even at the same level? How does that make sense?"

Javier's statement provoked murmurs among the players of the former A-Team. Willian, who had remained silent until then, leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees, but said nothing.

Eddie faced Javier directly. "I understand it's difficult, Javier. But I want to make something very clear: we're not here to talk about your past actions. We're here to build something new. And if you, or anyone else, aren't willing to adapt, there may be no place for you on this team."

Javier clenched his fists, but didn't reply. Eddie continued.

"We have an incredible squad here. Felix, as captain, showed excellent leadership in the B-Team. Kevin and Parker, you have an experience that could be crucial for our defense. Lucas and Raphael, your chemistry on the pitch is something few teams have. And Willian..." Eddie stopped, staring at the striker. "You're one of the best finishers I've seen come through Brighton. But if you keep playing on your own, you're not going anywhere."

Willian, in a rare moment of self-awareness, remained silent. Eddie noticed and seized the opportunity.

"Look around. Each of you brings something unique to this team. But if you keep fighting amongst yourselves, all you'll achieve is wasting your potential. And I'll be honest: I will not waste time on players who don't want to be here."

Felix, who was sitting with a pensive expression, raised his head. "What if we tried something different? Some kind of activity to break the ice?"

"Good idea, Felix," replied Eddie. "But it has to come from you. I can't force it. Want it."

Javier, still reluctant, snorted. "What if we just left things as they are? That might work."

Lucas, who until then had been quiet, stood up. "Work how? With you ignoring us on the pitch? With Willian playing alone? That's not soccer, Javier. And that's not what we're here for. We're here to win as a team."

Javier's eyes narrowed, but the dressing room fell silent.

Eddie seized the moment. "Look, I know this will not be resolved in a day. But it starts here. I want each of you to think about what you're bringing to the team. And, above all, what's stopping you from connecting? If you can't sort that out, you can forget about any dreams of reaching the top of English and European soccer."

After these words, Eddie left the dressing room, leaving the players alone with their thoughts. Silence reigned for a few minutes before Felix stood up.

"Eddie's right," he said, his voice firm. "We're not going anywhere like this. And if Javier or anyone else has a problem with this, we'd better sort it out straight away. Because we're not here to waste time."

Willian finally spoke, but audibly. "Maybe... maybe we should try. I don't like what's happening, but I don't like losing either."

Raphael smiled. "That's a start."

"Nevertheless, Arthur, I promise to steal your spot and become the starting center forward," declared Willian, waging war on the hitherto quiet Arthur.